Raid that killed Mayor Parojinog ‘unrealistic’ – Pangilinan 

Sen. Francis Pangilinan. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER / RICHARD A. REYES

“It’s unrealistic,” said Senator Francis Pangilinan of the police’s predawn raid that led to the death of Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, his wife and 13 others in Ozamiz City on Sunday.

“Serving warrants of arrest past 2 a.m. Disabling the closed-circuit TV (CCTV) cameras prior to entering the premises. All 15 suspected drug lords at the scene of the crime and their ‘armed to the teeth’ bodyguards are killed. No injuries or casualties on the side of the PNP. Hindi makatotohanan,” Pangilinan said in a statement on Monday.

Pangilinan, who is a member of the minority bloc of the Senate, said the deadly raid could set a precedent for the police to launch operations with the intention to kill, and not arrest drug personalities.

“Pwedeng gawin ito kaninuman,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Escudero said in a television interview that the deaths of the Parojinogs in the raid showed President Rodrigo Duterte’s seriousness in his battle against illegal drug operations.

Asked what message the Ozamiz raid might be sending to other “narcopoliticians,” Escudero said they should be forewarned.

“I guess he (Duterte) is also showing and proving that even if he knows them, even if it’s in his area, he will not think twice either,” he added.

Parojinog was the third town mayor in a year killed in a police operation under Duterte’s war on drugs.

But still, Escudero stressed that the police could serve a search or arrest warrant to drug suspects but not a “death warrant.” With Winona Sadia, Inquirer Volunteer Corps / CBB/rga